Hydroponic Produce Display Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hydroponic produce display apparatus for in-store and market display of plants is provided. The hydroponic produce display apparatus comprises a basin for holding a volume of liquid with an opening formed in the basin. A hydroponic container is provided having a first end and a second end with the first end of the hydroponic container cooperates with the opening in the basin and the plants growing within the hydroponic containers. An irrigation mechanism moves liquid from the basin to the second end of the hydroponic container wherein harvested hydroponic containers are exchanged with harvested containers.

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/787,857, filed on Mar. 7, 2013, which isa continuation-in-part and claims priority of U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,207,issued on Dec. 29, 2015, entitled “Hydroponic Produce DisplayApparatus”, which is a continuation-in-part and claims priority of U.S.Pat. No. 8,365,466, issued on Feb. 5, 2013, entitled “Hydroponic ProduceDisplay Apparatus”, which claimed priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/343,038, filed on Apr. 22, 2010, entitled“Hydroponic Produce Display Apparatus”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a hydroponic produce production anddisplay apparatus and, more particularly, the invention relates to ahydroponic produce display apparatus allowing home, kitchen, in-storeand market display and storage of unpicked, growing vegetables and herbsto consumers.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Traditionally, agricultural produce displayed in supermarkets, farmer'smarkets, or other venues has previously been harvested and transported,and as such often suffers wilting and cosmetic blemishes, damage to bodyand structure, loss of nutrition, and the resulting negative effects onconsumption. By presenting living, growing crop plants in themarketplace showing none of the negative characteristics of harvest andtransport, many of these hurdles to consumption can be overcome, andstorage life of the harvested product increased dramatically.Additionally, presenting crops in a way that allows consumers to chooseand harvest plants themselves introduces a positive tactile experienceto consumers that contributes to a pleasing customer experience.Additionally, crop plants that are not picked in the marketplace arekept alive and healthy and can be returned with the productioncontainers to the producer to be harvested and introduced to the marketin a more traditional manner. The shelf life of live plants in such asystem dramatically exceeds the shelf life of harvested vegetables andherbs.

SUMMARY

In addition, the present invention includes a hydroponic produce displayapparatus for in-store and market display of plants. The hydroponicproduce display apparatus comprises a basin for holding a volume ofliquid. An opening is formed in the basin. A hydroponic container havinga first end 13 and a second end is provided. The first end 13 of thehydroponic container cooperates with the opening in the basin with theplants growing within the hydroponic containers. Irrigation means moveliquid from the basin to the second end of the hydroponic containerwherein harvested hydroponic containers are exchanged with harvestedcontainers.

In addition, the present invention is a hydroponic produce displayapparatus for in-store and market display of plants. The hydroponicproduce display apparatus comprises a basin having an open top with thebasin holding a volume of liquid. A cover is positioned on the open topof the basin with the cover being permeable to liquid. A display backingis provided having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, afirst side, and a second side opposite the first side. The first end ofthe display backing is mounted over the open top of the basin with thedisplay backing extending vertically from the basin. Mounting mechanismscooperate with the display backing for mounting the plants to thedisplay backing. A liquid introduction mechanism introduces liquid tothe plants mounted to the display backing, or to the hydroponic troughsor towers mounted to the display backing. A liquid transfer mechanismmoves liquid from the basin to the liquid introduction means. Excessliquid from the liquid introduction means not absorbed by the plants ismoved into the basin for transfer back to the liquid introduction means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view illustrating a hydroponic producedisplay apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention,with the display skirt, drainage trough with grate cover, displaybacking, male brackets, overhead sprayers, and horizontal trough dripirrigation systems;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view illustrating the plumbing andirrigation system of the hydroponic produce display apparatus of FIG. 1,constructed in accordance with the present invention, including inflowand outflow valves with flood valve, pump, ultraviolet light sterilizer,diversion valves, overhead sprayer system, and horizontal trough dripirrigation systems;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view illustrating the structural frameworkof the hydroponic produce display apparatus of FIG. 1, constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of thehydroponic produce display apparatus, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, with the base tank, the pump, the electrical cord,the irrigation tubing extending to the sprayer/dripper head, the bracketfor securing the vertical tower to the support arm, the hole to receivethe excess irrigation solution, and the maintenance port;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view illustrating a bracket of thehydroponic produce display apparatus, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the bracket of the hydroponicproduce display apparatus, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating the hydroponic produce displayapparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, withinset channels allowing vertical hydroponic towers to stand flush with aface of the display apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view illustrating the hydroponic producedisplay apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention,with inset channels allowing vertical hydroponic towers to stand flushwith the face of the display apparatus;

FIG. 9 is another front perspective view illustrating the hydroponicproduce display apparatus, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with inset channels that allow vertical hydroponic towers tostand flush with a face of the display apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view illustrating the hydroponic producedisplay apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention,with inset channels that allow vertical hydroponic towers to stand flushwith a face of the display apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating still another embodiment of thehydroponic produce display apparatus, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is side perspective view illustrating the hydroponic producedisplay apparatus of FIG. 11, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the vertical hydroponic towermounted within the base of the hydroponic produce display apparatus,constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the interiorof the base of the hydroponic produce display apparatus, constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-14, the present invention is a hydroponicproduce display apparatus, indicated generally at 10, allowing in-storeand market display of unpicked, growing vegetables and herbs toconsumers. The hydroponic produce display apparatus 10 described hereinsustains plant life and vitality by supporting the irrigation anddisplay of discreet, modular hydroponic production containers 12 invarious forms, including nutrient film technique troughs, drip techniquetroughs, aeroponic tubes, and vertical hydroponic towers.

Being lightweight and portable in design, the hydroponic produce displayapparatus 10 of the present invention is easily transported from marketto market as well as being permanently or semi-permanently plumbed andplugged into electrical outlets for long-term displays or in-home use.Since hydroponic containers 12 on display are exchanged on a regularbasis to ensure proper plant growth- and as such, the hydroponic producedisplay apparatus 10 described herein is designed primarily to sustainplant appearance and vitality until on-site harvest at the market orstore, not to provide plant nourishment or promote plant growth.However, by utilizing a nutrient solution the system, some embodimentsof the present invention may be used for home and commercial hydroponicproduction.

In one embodiment of the hydroponic produce display apparatus 10 of thepresent invention, the hydroponic produce display apparatus 10 utilizesa rectangular basin 14, rounded on the two narrow ends and varying ininternal volume from fifteen (15 gal.) gallons to three (3 gal.)gallons. In addition, the basin 14 has a drain valve 16 with a hosefitting attached to its wall or base. The basin 14 is secured upon asteel framework 18 and enclosed in a decorative skirt 20 of wood, metal,or plastic varying in height from approximately six (6″) inches toapproximately two (2′) feet, encircling the circumference of the basin14.

Flush with the top of the decorative skirt 20 runs a drainage trough 21circling the inner circumference of the decorative skirt 20. The troughcan be replaced with individual grates 22 in some embodiments. Thetrough or grate 22 has an internal return pipe at one end that transferswater from the trough down to the basin 14 resting in the middle of thedisplay. The top of the trough is covered by the decorative grate 22 setin a plastic or metal drain that forms an inset approximately three (3″)inches to twelve (12″) inches in width. From the inner edge of the insetrises a display face constructed of wood, metal, or plastic flashingrising to the display top, either straight or tapering inward slightlyas it rises, and rising to a height of approximately two (2′) feet toapproximately eight (8′) feet. In some embodiments, the display facerises from the front of the grate 22 with inset channels 24 that holdvertical hydroponic towers 12. In this embodiment, the grate 22 ismostly covered by the face of the display and the vertical towers 12inset into the display rest on the grate 22 with their faces flush tothe face of the display. The display face is fixed to a steel, wooden,or plastic framework. The top of the display can be open or covered by aplastic, wood, or metal decorative top.

The display face of the display can be configured in a number of waysmeant to attach hydroponic towers or troughs 12 to the display. In oneembodiment, the display face has the inset channels 24 that allow thevertical towers 12 to stand flush with the face of the display. Inothers, a series of brackets 26 of variable spacing, having flat, upwardprojecting hooks of metal for attaching vertical hydroponic towers 12directly to the display. This hook corresponds with the complementarybracket on the backs of the vertical hydroponic towers. When attached,the vertical towers 12 stand upright, with the bottoms of the towers 12resting on the grate 22 of the inset 24, with one or more brackets 26securing the tower 12 to the display. In this configuration, the plantsgrowing in the towers face outward, away from the display. Towers 12 canbe displayed on one side or both of the display or two displays can beplace back to back to display completely encircling the display.Advertisement and information boards can also be attached to thesebrackets 26 offering information on the produce being marketed. Whenhorizontal troughs are being secured to the display, a framework 30 issecured to the upper display brackets that support the horizontaltroughs as a series of tapered shelves, with one end of all the troughsslightly elevated above the other to facilitate drainage. At thedepressed end, a square or circular pipe stands vertically, withcorresponding ports to receive the draining end of the troughs. Thebottom of this drainpipe rests on the inset grate 22 and drains into theinternal drainage trough 21. Depending on the type of display 10,troughs will be displayed as above on both flat sides of the display 10,with informational and advertisement boards displayed on the roundedends of the display 10. Irrigation of the displayed plants within thehydroponic produce display apparatus 10 of the present invention isaccomplished using a tubing system 32 that rises either from the basin14 in the display base, or from a three-way “Y” fitting having a valvedhose fitting attached on one side, while on the other side interruptingthe tubing system above the basin. A pump 17 rests in the basin 14 andpumps water from the basin 14 through a valve and through the “Y”fitting to an ultra violet sterilizer. Water flows through thesterilizer to the top of the display where a “tee” interrupts theirrigation tubing 35 having a valve on both of the downstream endsallowing water to be diverted via valves to two different irrigationstructures. The first irrigation structure is employed when verticalhydroponic towers are being displayed. It consists of a ring ofirrigation tubing 35 radiating from the center of the display to form aring around the upper edge of the display backing. Misting, spraying ordripping nozzles 33 are inserted into the irrigation tubing atappropriate intervals so that water is introduced to the tops of thehydroponic towers. The second irrigation option is employed whendisplaying horizontal hydroponic troughs and consists of a verticaldrop-pipe that hangs over the exterior of the display back, on the endof the display that supports the raised ends of the hydroponic oraeroponic troughs. From this pipe feeder tubes emerge horizontally andare inserted into the raised ends of the hydroponic troughs. To the endsof these feeder tubes a variety of spraying, misting, and drippingnozzles can be attached, depending on display crop requirements.

In another embodiment of the hydroponic produce display apparatus of thepresent invention, as best illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, hydroponictowers only are displayed, being held erect by a support arm 40 of metalattached to a plastic tank base 14, or by the base itself. Inembodiments where the base is the primary support for the hydroponictower, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-14, support is achieved by supportingthe tower 12 using the hole in the lid of the base 14, while holding thebase 14 of the hydroponic tower 12 in place with either pegs or a cup onthe end of a support pillar rising from the bottom of the base 14through the interior. Similarly to the above- described invention, thetower 12 is irrigated from the top and drains into the basin/base 14,which collects the irrigation solution to be pumped back to the top ofthe tower by a small submersible pump 17 within the basin/base. Thisbase 14 can rest upon a metal stand, rest directly on the floor, or havewheels to make transport easier. The cord for the pump 17 emerges fromthe rear of the base 14. The base 14 may or may not have a removablecover 23 for aesthetic appeal or to control algal growth within the base14. This particular embodiment is also well-suited to dual use for homehydroponic production as well as plant preservation and display.

The hydroponic produce display apparatus 10 of the present invention hasthe potential to dramatically increase both the shelf life and qualityof produce at market as well as change consumer experiences at market.The apparatus 10 takes advantage of modularity in hydroponic productionsystems to introduce a new means of marketing produce to consumers, andto offer new methods incentives for wholesale and retail marketers toutilize locally-produced vegetables and herbs. Potential markets for thehydroponic produce display apparatus 10 include farmer's marketretailers, commercial and restaurant kitchens, grocery stores andspecialty crop stores as well as home produce consumers.

The hydroponic produce display apparatus 10 of the present invention isunique in form and function over traditional display technology hasconsisted of bins or containers with doors since the apparatus 10 isconstructed to form a housing that incorporates unharvested plantpropagation containers. It functions as a life-support system forhydroponic produce. The irrigation system 32 is essential to thefunction of the display allowing at-market displays that irrigate theroots of unharvested, living vegetables. The hydroponic produce displayapparatus 10 is unique in application resulting in tangible benefitsthat offer a distinct advantage over the use of traditional bin andrefrigerated displays, including elimination of spoilage (produce has anindeterminate shelf life), elimination of refrigeration costs (energyand equipment), allowing secondary use and distribution of uncut produce(eliminating another source of waste for producers), and elimination ofmost packaging and harvest-related labor costs for producers. Thehydroponic produce display apparatus 10 provides either horizontal orvertical brackets or channels to retain horizontal or vertical plantproduction equipment and is essentially a storage device as much as adisplay device eliminating the need for refrigeration. Towers andtroughs are exchanged by the producer on a regular basis with harvestedcontainers being removed, and unharvested containers being installed inthe hydroponic produce display apparatus 10.

The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferredembodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawingsand described in detail, with varying modifications and alternativeembodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown,described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled inthe art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, andthat the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to theclaims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention asdisclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of thespecific elements which are disclosed herein.

1. A method for in-store and market display of plants, the methodcomprising: providing a basin for holding a volume of liquid; providingan opening formed in the basin; providing a lid covering the openingformed in the basin, wherein the shape and width of the lidsubstantially corresponds to shape and width of the opening formed inthe basin and wherein at least one hole is formed in the lid; providinga display having a front face, a back face, a first end, and a secondend, at least two vertical slots formed in the front face of thedisplay, wherein the at least two vertical slots are three sidedcontinuous vertical channels that run the entire length of the frontface of the display, and wherein the at least two vertical slots have awidth that is a portion of a width of the front face; and providing atleast two hydroponic towers having a first end, and a second end,wherein each of said at least two hydroponic towers are inset withineach of said at least two vertical slots within said display, whereinsaid at least two hydroponic towers are configured to allow plants to beplanted within and to grow through said at least two hydroponic towersand outward, away from said at least two hydroponic tower; the first endof each of the hydroponic towers cooperates with a respective holeformed in the lid covering the opening in the basin, wherein eachrespective hole formed in the lid substantially corresponds to the shapeand width of the first end of the hydroponic tower, the plants areconfigured to grow within the hydroponic tower, and wherein said lid andsaid basin support said hydroponic tower; providing a framework, whereinsaid framework supports the display; providing an irrigation means formoving liquid from the basin to the second end of the hydroponic tower;and wherein each of said hydroponic towers is releasably positionedwithin each respective hole formed in the lid covering the opening inthe basin, allowing each of said hydroponic towers to be removed fromthe opening in the basin.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of saidhydroponic towers is a vertical hydroponic tower.
 3. The method of claim2 and further comprising: providing a support arm extending from thebasin to the second end of each hydroponic tower for supporting eachtower.
 4. The method of claim 2 and further comprising providing aninternal pillar having a cup or pegs for gripping the hydroponic towerbase.
 5. The method of claim 2 and further comprising providing at leastone additional: pillar support, lid support, and support arm forsupporting each hydroponic tower.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theirrigation means is a pump positioned within the basin and tubingextending from the pump to the second end of each of said hydroponictowers.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said framework is made ofwood, steel or plastic.